Wikipedia:Snark

This page in a nutshell: Snark is defined as "an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm", just don't do it.

This is an essay.

It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints.

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Friendly sarcasm might be okay, but snark is worth hunting down.

"Snark" has been defined as, "an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm",^[1] this should not be welcome on Wikipedia and can serve to harm newcomers who might feel left out of a clique where snark is deployed with more of an air towards insider knowledge and exclusivity.

Snark can also often be hard to understand on Wikipedia. This is a purely written medium after all. Without knowing the background of an editor, and without extensive knowledge of context, snark can lead to misunderstandings and can bring about unnecessary miscommunication. Since Wikipedia is a global project, further misunderstanding can arise out of two different editors interacting where one editor may be from a culture where sarcasm is not used. When sarcasm turns towards biting or malicious intent, it moves away from being playful and in good faith, and towards becoming "snarky".

When you are thinking of replying to a comment on a talk page with a snarky reply, think of a non-snarky reply and go with that instead. Or, perhaps alternatively refer to the age-old maxim, "If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all."

Friends don't let friends make snarky remarks.